UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT Ref. No.

MSDS /PD/40_01 MATERIAL SAFETY

DATA SHEET

HEXANE Valid for:

2 years from approval

Page 1 of 8

Table of Contents Page

1. Chemical Product 2

2. Composition and Information on Ingredients 2

3. Hazards Identification 2

4. First Aid Measures 3

5. Fire and Explosion Data 3

6. Accidental Release Measures 4

7. Handling and Storage 4

8. Exposure Controls/ Personal Protection 5

9. Physical and Chemical Properties 5

10. Stability and Reactivity Data 6

11. Toxicological Information 6

12. Ecological Information 7

13. Disposal Considerations 7

14. References 7

15. Appendices 8

16. Revision History 8

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT Ref. No.

MSDS /PD/40_01 MATERIAL SAFETY

DATA SHEET

HEXANE Valid for:

2 years from approval

Page 2 of 8

1. Chemical Product

Product Name: Hexane

Chemical name: Hexane

Synonyms: n-Hexane; Hexyl hydride; Dipropyl; normal-Hexane; Hex.

Chemical Formula: C6H14

2. Composition and Information on Ingredients

Composition: Not applicable

Toxicological Data on Ingredients:

ORAL (LD50): Acute: 25000 mg/kg [Rat].

3. Hazards Identification

Potential Acute Health Effects: Hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator), of ingestion,

of inhalation and of eye contact (irritant).

Potential Chronic Health Effects: The substance may be toxic to peripheral nervous

system, skin and central nervous system (CNS). Repeated or prolonged exposure to the

substance can produce target organs damage.

CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not applicable

MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast.

TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Fetotoxicity has been observed in the presence of maternal

toxicity.

DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not applicable

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT Ref. No.

MSDS /PD/40_01 MATERIAL SAFETY

DATA SHEET

HEXANE Valid for:

2 years from approval

Page 3 of 8

4. First Aid Measures

General measures:

Skin contact: Wash with soap and water and afterwards cover the irritated skin with an

emollient. Seek medical attention if irritation develops.

Serious skin contact: Wash with a disinfectant soap and cover the contaminated skin with

an anti-bacterial cream. Seek medical attention.

Eye contact: Remove any contact lenses and afterwards immediately flush eyes with running

water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open. Seek medical attention if irritation

occurs.

Ingestion: Loosen any tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. Do not induce

vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. If vomiting occurs, keep head lower

than hips to help prevent aspiration since hexane is an aspiration hazard. If victim is

conscious, give 2-4 glasses of water. Seek medical attention if symptoms appear.

Serious ingestion: Not applicable

Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration or if breathing is

difficult, give oxygen. Seek medical attention if symptoms appear.

Serious inhalation: Evacuate to a safe area as soon as possible and afterwards loosen any

tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen or

if not breathing, give artificial respiration. Seek medical attention.

5. Fire and Explosion Data

Flammability of the Product: Flammable

Auto-Ignition Temperature: 225°C

Flash points: CLOSED CUP: -22.5°C

Flammable limits:

LOWER: 1.15%

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT Ref. No.

MSDS /PD/40_01 MATERIAL SAFETY

DATA SHEET

HEXANE Valid for:

2 years from approval

Page 4 of 8

UPPER: 7.5%

Products of Combustion: Carbon oxides (CO, CO2)

Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Highly flammable in presence of open

flames and sparks and in the presence of heat. Non-flammable in presence of shocks

Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Not Applicable

Fire fighting media and Instructions: Flammable liquid, insoluble in water. Use dry

chemical powder in the presence of small fire while for large fires use water spray or fog.

Special Remarks on Fire Hazards: Extremely flammable liquid and vapour. Vapour may

cause flash fire.

Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards: Not applicable

6. Accidental Release Measures

NB: Wear appropriate protective equipment/clothing including gloves before removing

any spills.

Small spills: Absorb spillage immediately with a non-combustible, absorbent material which

is inert such as sand, earth, vermiculite or diatomaceous earth and dispose of accordingly

Large spill: Absorb with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material. Provide

ventilation and use vapour suppressing foam to reduce vapours. Seek assistance on disposal.

7. Handling and Storage

Precautions: Keep locked up, away from heat and from sources of ignition, and from

incompatibles such as oxidising agents. Wear suitable protective clothing to prevent contact

and provide sufficient ventilation or wear suitable respiratory equipment.

Storage: Store in a segregated and approved area. Keep container in a cool, well-ventilated

area. Keep container tightly closed and sealed until ready for use. Avoid all possible sources

of ignition (spark or flame).

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT Ref. No.

MSDS /PD/40_01 MATERIAL SAFETY

DATA SHEET

HEXANE Valid for:

2 years from approval

Page 5 of 8

8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Airborne Exposure Limits: TWA: 500 (ppm) from OSHA (PEL) [United States]

Inhalation TWA: 1800 (mg/m3) from OSHA (PEL) [United States]

Inhalation TWA: 176 (mg/m3) from ACGIH (TLV) [United States]

SKIN TWA: 50 (ppm) from ACGIH (TLV) [United States]

SKIN TWA: 500 STEL: 1000 (ppm) from ACGIH (TLV) [United States]

Inhalation TWA: 1760 STEL: 3500 (mg/m3) from ACGIH (TLV) [United States]

Engineering Controls: Provide exhaust ventilation and ensure that eyewash stations and

safety showers are proximal to the workstation location.

Personal Protection: Wear safety glasses with a face shield, impervious gloves, appropriate

chemical resistant lab coat and an appropriate vapour respirator.

9. Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical state and appearance: Clear, colourless liquid

Odour: Gasoline-like or petroleum-like (slight)

Taste: Not applicable

Molecular Weight: 86.18g

pH (5% solution/water): Neutral

Boiling Point: 68°C

Melting Point: -95°C

Critical Temperature: Not applicable

Specific Gravity (Water = 1): 0.66

Vapour Pressure (mmHg): 17.3 kPa (@ 20°C)

Vapour Density: 2.97

Volatility: 100%

Odour Threshold: 130 ppm

Water/Oil Distribution Coefficient: log(oil/water) = 3.9

Ionicity (in Water): Not applicable

Dispersion Properties: Not applicable

Solubility: Soluble in diethyl ether, acetone, chloroform and alcohol. Insoluble in cold and

hot water.

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT Ref. No.

MSDS /PD/40_01 MATERIAL SAFETY

DATA SHEET

HEXANE Valid for:

2 years from approval

Page 6 of 8

10. Stability and Reactivity Data

Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures

Corrosivity: Not applicable

Instability temperature: Not applicable

Conditions of Instability: Heat, ignition sources and incompatibles

Incompatibles: Can react vigorously with strong oxidizers (e.g. chlorine, bromine, fluorine)

Polymerization: Not applicable

11. Toxicological Information

Toxicity to animals:

LD50 Oral 29700 mg/kg [Rat]

LD50 Oral 15840 mg/kg [Rat]

LDLo Intraperitoneal 9100 mg/kg [Rat]

TDLo Oral 20000 mg/kg [Rat]

LC50 InhalationVapour 627000 mg/m3 (3 minutes) [Rat]

LC50 InhalationVapour 96000 ppm (1 hour) [Rat]

LC50 Inhalation Gas 48000 ppm (4 hours) [Rat]

Effects on humans: Acute potential health effects: Hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator), of ingestion,

of inhalation and of eye contact (irritant).

Chronic potential health effects:

MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: May cause damage to the peripheral nervous system, skin, central

nervous system (CNS)

TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Fetotoxicity has been observed in the presence of maternal

toxicity.

DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not applicable

Other information: Not applicable

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT Ref. No.

MSDS /PD/40_01 MATERIAL SAFETY

DATA SHEET

HEXANE Valid for:

2 years from approval

Page 7 of 8

12. Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity:

FISH TOXICITY: 2500 μg/L 96 hour(s) LC50 (Mortality) [Fathead minnow; Pimephales

promelas]

ALGAL TOXICITY: 75 μg/L 28 hour(s) (Population Growth) [Green algae;

Chlamydomonas sp]

13. Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal: What is not recycled must be handled as hazardous waste and sent to an

approved incinerator or disposed in an approved waste facility. Dispose of in a container for

Water Insoluble, Non-Halogenated Waste.

14. References

- ScienceLab.com. Material Safety Data Sheet; Hexanes. [online]. 2013 [cited 2013 Dec

10]. Available from: URL: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927187

- Fisher Scientific. Material Safety Data Sheet; n-Hexane. [online]. 2007 [cited 2013 Dec

10]. Available from: URL:

http://www.fishersci.com/ecomm/servlet/msdsproxy?productName=AC326922500&pro

ductDescription=N HEXANE&catNo=AC32692-

2500&vendorId=VN00032119&storeId=10652

- Matheson Tri Gas. Material Safety Data Sheet. [online]. 2008 [cited 2013 Dec 10].

Available from: URL: http://www.mathesongas.com/pdfs/msds/MAT10950.pdf

- Material Safety Data Sheet; Hexane. [online]. 2006 [cited 2013 Dec 10]. Available

from: URL: http://www.labchem.com/tools/msds/msds/75447.pdf

- Airgas. Material Safety Data Sheet; N-Hexane. [online]. 2012 [cited 2013 Dec 10].

Available from: URL: http://www.airgas.com/documents/pdf/001060.pdf

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT Ref. No.

MSDS /PD/40_01 MATERIAL SAFETY

DATA SHEET

HEXANE Valid for:

2 years from approval

Page 8 of 8

15. Appendices

Not applicable

16. Revision History

Version Number Amendments/ Reasons for change

01 Initial Release